Women’s basketball relies on in-paint shots to defeat Oregon 79-63
Junior forward Monique Billings continues to prove that this is her best season thus far. Billings notched a career-high 30 points, to go along with 14 rebounds and six steals, during UCLA’s win over Oregon. (Kristie Hoang/Daily Bruin)
By Ryan Cheong
Jan. 16, 2017 10:18 p.m.
Giants stomped inside the paint Sunday when the No. 17 UCLA Bruins (13-4, 4-2 Pac-12) and the Oregon Ducks (12-6, 2-4 Pac-12) faced off in conference play. The contest featured a post move showcase from UCLA junior forward Monique Billings and Oregon freshman forward Ruthy Hebard, who both finished with career-highs in points. But only Billings’ play would include a 79-63 win for the Bruins.
Billings combined her career-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting with 14 rebounds and six steals that led to UCLA women’s basketball team’s 22nd straight home win.
[Related: UCLA combines defense, late game execution to take down No. 10 Oregon State]
The win not only gives UCLA its first streak of the new year, but also ties the Bruins with South Dakota for the fourth longest active home-win streak in the nation.
Hebard shone as the Ducks’ bright spot, tallying a career-high 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting and nine rebounds. The figure gave the freshman her fifth 20-plus game of the season, but it was not enough to overcome UCLA’s play.
The Bruins launched into the second quarter, scoring 26 points to erase a five-point first-quarter deficit. A 15-4 run five minutes into the second quarter opened up an 11-point lead for UCLA that it took into the locker room.
Oregon would cut UCLA’s lead to as little as nine early in the fourth quarter, but the Bruins would fight back en route to their eventual win.
Billings’ 30 points in the interior was not the only source of scoring from the Bruins, who found 42 of their 79 points in the paint, capitalizing on their opponent’s offensive miscues and forcing the Ducks into 20 turnovers. UCLA’s 20 offensive boards and 15 steals also gave it 18 more field goal attempts, taking time away from any of Oregon’s flow.
[Related: Billings dominates inside as the Bruins overpower the Buffaloes]
Four of UCLA’s starters finished in double-figures, including sophomore guard Kennedy Burke with 16 points and junior guard Kelli Hayes with 14.
Junior guard Jordin Canada was just two rebounds from a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists and capturing the floor general’s astute court vision.
